In one of my courses, I recently had a professor use the term CAVE people, which is an acronym for “constantly against virtually everything.” It piqued my interest because I have spent much of my life being one to introduce new things when groups and organizations had grown stale. Even as a child, I remember times when I would suggest a different path that could be taken when sometimes my teachers were wishing I would just keep my thoughts to myself. My junior high band director once said to me after I had made a number of suggestions, “When you’re the director, you can do it your way.” My response to him was, “I will.” My high school band director had a similar response to me when I felt that we needed to change things and another director threw me out of a rehearsal for doing something my way instead of his way. I guess I had a thing going with band directors! In my case, it wasn’t that they were against everything, but that in my youthful enthusiasm, I stepped over the line too many times. However, as a director myself now, I try to make sure that I am open to hearing from others who want to share in the creative process. But that is a subject for another day. Back to CAVE people.
As change agents and leaders who are guiding others through the often stress-filled process of change, we will come in contact with CAVE people. These aren’t the typical group of followers who must be inspired by a new vision that will benefit the organization and help to fulfill the shared mission. No, these are people who will oppose anything that is proposed, regardless of it potential value. They decide against initiatives before they are even presented with them. Long ago, I came across a person who definitely fit the CAVE description. My dad and I were working together at a church and this particular CAVE person had been accustomed to a high level of organizational power, even though he was not in any official position. Unfortunately this can happen in many organizations which are led by volunteers. Churches, Little League, and social organizations all have people within them who have been around long enough to amass a tremendous amount of influence and power. Threaten that power and they will quickly defend their turf. This is what happened to my dad and me. This person didn’t like doing things Dad’s way, so he turned on us, and particularly me. As I went about building a ministry, at every turn he was trying to tear it down. He was a classic CAVE person. He was against even things that were really really good for the church simply because he had decided to be. Sadly, in the end, that particular CAVE person won and the ministry that could have touched many lives was discontinued.
Today, I still come across CAVE people, but I’m better equipped. The experiences I’ve had in a career of ministry have helped me to learn how to identify potential CAVE dwellers before they can do as much damage as the one I encountered years ago. Some of the things we can do to neutralize CAVE people happen right away after you first meet them. Building relationships will always help to win people over, so be quick to ask CAVE people to be a part of what’s new and innovative. Give them something to do which will help them feel that they are a part of the action. Thank them for their efforts, and every time you witness them having a positive attitude, praise them for it. When you can, put them in an appropriate spotlight and gush all over them. They may still be an occasional CAVE person, but the more you involve them, the less CAVE behaviors will arise. Who knows, maybe with enough collaborative wins between you and them, they will decide to leave their cave for good. It’s worth a try!
Above all, love them, even and especially when they are unlovable. Give them the benefit of the doubt, because it’s gotta be hard to be “constantly against virtually everything.” I’m sure it takes a lot of energy. No wonder they are so grumpy! Thinking back to my experience early on with a CAVE person, I wonder if I could have won them over. Maybe, maybe not. I’ll never know. But if I could go back, I’d like to think that I could have handled it better. As you encounter CAVE people in your life, I hope you’ll try some of what I’ve suggested. Recently, it worked for me, but I’m not going to tell you who it was!
Lead well.